The Versatile PhD helps students plan their careers

One of the most common challenges facing graduate students can be preparing for non-academic careers. The Versatile PhD is an online service that helps PhD students explore the wide range of career options available. The site focuses primarily on disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, but this year has expanded its offerings to include the STEM disciplines.

The Versatile PhD contains free content, available to anyone, and premium content available by institutional subscription. By purchasing an institutional subscription to the Versatile PhD, UT Austin has unlocked the premium content for students, faculty and staff with a valid UT EID.

When a student logs on to the site they will find a supportive
community made up of students and professionals who have come together to network and to participate in discussions.

They will also find application materials used by PhDs to get their first post-academic jobs. Materials available for review include: resume, cover letter, additional correspondence, position announcement, if still available, CV, and a well-written narrative explaining exactly how the job was won. These are authentic application documents, written by Versatile PhD members, who are often available to answer questions and offer advice.

Other features of the site include first-person career autobiographies in which advanced Versatile PhDs describe how their career evolved after leaving the academy, as well as panel discussions made up of four to six PhDs all working in the same non-academic career, describing what their work is like and answering questions from users.

A web-based resource that you can use anytime, from any computer, The Versatile PhD is FREE, and confidential. There you will find:

A thriving, supportive community where you can participate and network with PhDs outside the academy.

Examples of successful resumes and cover letters

Detail-rich Panel Discussions

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